Bibigo Booth Draws Attention at KCON Japan 2026 with Dumplings and Photo Ops CJ CheilJedang announced on May 11 that it participated in KCON JAPAN 2026, held from May 8 to 10 at Makuhari Messe in Chiba, Japan, showcasing an interactive booth featuring its global K-food brand, Bibigo. The booth was themed around "Happy Bibigo Day" in collaboration with the K-pop group Zero Base One. It combined the group's signature blue color with the Bibigo brand image and featured a large cake installation that created a festive birthday party atmosphere, attracting the attention of attendees. At the Bibigo food truck zone, visitors could enjoy a set menu featuring the popular Japanese products, dumplings and Micho. Long lines formed in front of the food truck, with approximately 20,000 products sold during the event. CJ CheilJedang views Japan as a key strategic market for the global expansion of K-food and is intensifying its local efforts. In September of last year, the company invested about 100 billion won to complete a dumpling production facility in Kisarazu, Chiba. This marked the first time a domestic food company established a production facility in Japan. The new product, "Bibigo Dumpling Gyoza," produced at the Chiba factory, generated approximately 700 million won in sales in its first month of March and quickly entered over 6,000 major retail channels in the region. As a result, Bibigo dumplings surpassed a 10% market share in Japan's dumpling market for the first time as of March this year. Currently, CJ CheilJedang products, including Bibigo dumplings, are sold through about 40,000 retail channels and online platforms in Japan, including Aeon, Don Quijote, and Costco. A CJ CheilJedang representative stated, "We felt a strong interest in Bibigo and K-food at this KCON event. We will continue to strengthen our position as a global representative K-food brand through various marketing activities."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-11 14:45:32

Trump Suggests Possible Military Action Against Iran Amid Stalled Peace Talks As U.S.-Iran peace negotiations face renewed challenges, President Donald Trump has hinted at the possibility of further military operations in Iran. In an interview with the U.S. news program "Full Measure" aired on May 10, Trump stated, "We can go in for another two weeks and attack all the targets in Iran." He noted that while about 70% of the specific targets they aimed for have been addressed, there are still other targets available for attack. He added, "Even if we don’t do that, it’s just cleanup work, and it will take them years to rebuild." Trump's comments came in response to a question about whether combat operations could be considered over. He clarified, "No, I didn’t say that. I said they were defeated, but that doesn’t mean it’s over." Following Trump's dissatisfaction with Iran's response to U.S. proposals for peace, assessments suggest that negotiations have effectively returned to square one. His interview, which left the door open for renewed military action, has heightened uncertainty surrounding the conflict. Earlier, Trump expressed his discontent on social media platform Truth Social, stating, "I just read the response from Iran's so-called 'representatives.' I don’t like it. It’s completely unacceptable." Additionally, Trump reaffirmed that securing Iran's enriched uranium remains a key objective. He remarked, "We will get it at some point," and emphasized, "We are monitoring it." He also mentioned the establishment of the Space Force, stating, "They are watching it. As you know, I created the Space Force, and they are monitoring it." Regarding the monitoring capabilities, he warned, "If someone approaches, we will know their name, address, and badge number. We will know if someone gets close, and we will blow it up." Israel Also Targets Iran's Uranium Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu echoed similar sentiments, pressuring Iran further. In an interview with CBS's "60 Minutes," he stated, "I believe this war has achieved many results, but it is not over yet," citing the remaining nuclear materials and enriched uranium that need to be removed from Iran. Netanyahu indicated that while it is possible to go in and extract the enriched uranium, he refrained from discussing specific military measures, including the potential deployment of Israeli or U.S. special forces. He noted, "What President Trump told me was, 'I want to go in there.' I believe it is physically possible. If there is an agreement and we can go in and extract it, why not? That would be the best way." However, when asked whether military force could be used to remove uranium if negotiations fail, Netanyahu avoided a direct answer, stating, "I will not discuss military possibilities or plans." He also declined to provide a specific timeline for resolving the issue of Iran's uranium, emphasizing, "This is a very important mission."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-11 14:36:14

Eight out of 10 Korean retail investors pocket over $6,000 from Q1 stock cashouts SEOUL, May 11 (AJP) - Eight out of 10 South Korean retail investors who cashed out stocks in the first quarter walked away with profits, earning an average of 8.48 million won ($6,100), nearly double the 4.96 million won average loss suffered by the remaining investors, according to data released by Shinhan Securities on Monday. According to the brokerage’s analysis, Samsung Electronics provided both the joy and misery for retail investors during the first quarter. Among investors who sold Samsung Electronics shares, profitable investors recorded an average gain of 7.14 million won, while loss-making investors posted an average loss of 1.73 million won. After Samsung Electronics, the stocks that generated the largest average profits for retail investors were SK hynix with 5.94 million won, Hyundai Motor with 3.41 million won, Hanmi Semiconductor with 2.54 million won and Doosan Enerbility with 2.06 million won. Investors in their 70s and older posted the largest average gains at 18.73 million won, followed by those in their 60s with 10.11 million won. Investors in their 20s recorded the smallest gains at 1.43 million won. Male investors posted higher average gains than women, at 7.39 million won compared with 3.86 million won. The data suggests older investors were more active in taking profits during the first-quarter rally, particularly in large-cap semiconductor, nuclear-energy and defense shares that spearheaded gains in the benchmark market. South Korea’s benchmark KOSPI gained 20 percent in the first quarter. It has extended gains by another 56 percent as of Monday from the end of March amid a retail-driven frenzy led by chip and artificial intelligence-related shares. On Monday, Samsung Electronics shares rose 6.52 percent to 286,000 won, while SK hynix surged 13.23 percent to 1.909 million won, extending gains that have fueled this year’s rally. Hyundai Motor also climbed 6.04 percent to 650,000 won, while Doosan Enerbility slipped 1.62 percent to 127,500 won as of 1:53 p.m. On the tech-heavy KOSDAQ market, retail investors posted the biggest gains from stocks including Woori Technology, EcoPro, Hurim Robot and Alteogen. 2026-05-11 14:33:46

Government to Disburse Second Round of Support Payments Amid High Fuel Prices The government is set to provide a second round of support payments to alleviate the financial burden caused by high fuel prices. Approximately 36 million people in the bottom 70% income bracket will receive varying amounts of up to 250,000 won, depending on their region. On May 11, the government held a joint briefing at the Government Seoul Building to announce the details. Applications will be accepted from May 18 to July 3. The support payments will differ by region: 100,000 won for the metropolitan area, 150,000 won for non-metropolitan areas, 200,000 won for designated areas experiencing population decline, and 250,000 won for special support regions. High Asset Individuals Excluded...70% Income Threshold Based on Health Insurance Premiums While the payments target the bottom 70% of income earners, individuals with significant assets will be excluded. Households with a total property tax assessment exceeding 1.2 billion won or financial income exceeding 20 million won in 2024 will not qualify for support. The household criteria will be based on the resident registration as of March 30, 2026, but spouses and children who are dependents under health insurance will be considered part of the same household, even if they reside at different addresses. Generally, dual-income couples will be treated as separate households, but they may opt for the same household classification if it is more beneficial for insurance premium calculations. The selection criteria will be based on the health insurance premiums paid as of March 2026. The bottom 70% will be identified using standards based on the number of household members and insurance type. For instance, a single-income worker in a one-person household must have a monthly income of 1.3 million won or less, while a two-person household must have a monthly income of 1.4 million won or less. For regional subscribers, the thresholds are 800,000 won for a one-person household and 1.2 million won for a two-person household. However, to avoid disadvantaging multi-income households, the criteria will be adjusted to include one additional household member compared to single-income standards. Payments via Cards and Local Currency...Must Be Used by End of August Recipients can choose to receive the payments through credit or debit cards, local love gift certificates, or prepaid cards. If applying via card, funds will be loaded the next day and will be deducted before regular card transactions when making purchases. Mobile or card-based local love gift certificates can be applied for through local government apps or websites, while paper gift certificates and prepaid cards can be collected at administrative welfare centers in towns and villages. During the first week of applications, a designated day system will be implemented based on the last digit of applicants' birth years for both online and offline submissions. The usage area will be limited to the local government jurisdiction of the recipient's address, and the funds must be used by August 31. Spending will be restricted to stores with annual sales of 3 billion won or less, although gas stations will be exempt from this sales limit. Conversely, online shopping malls and entertainment or gambling establishments will not be eligible for use. The government will accept appeals through the National Complaint Center and administrative welfare centers. The application period for appeals will be open until July 17, and a 'visiting application service' will be available for elderly individuals or those with mobility issues, where officials will visit them directly. Yoon Ho-joong, Minister of the Ministry of Interior and Safety, stated, "This second round of support payments for high fuel prices will help alleviate the burdens faced by citizens due to high fuel costs, inflation, and exchange rates, and will serve as an opportunity to revive consumer spending. We will ensure that the application and usage processes are smooth and convenient for everyone." 2026-05-11 14:29:50

NCT's Taeyong to release first full-length solo album 'WYLD' SEOUL, May 11 (AJP) -Lee Tae-yong, the leader of NCT, will release his first full-length solo album titled WYLD on May 18, SM Entertainment said Monday. The 10-track project marks a significant milestone for the 30-year-old performer who has been a central figure in South Korea's global music expansion since his debut in 2016. The release underscores the artist's creative evolution as a producer and songwriter for both his individual projects and the wider NCT collective. Since beginning his career, Lee Tae-yong has been instrumental in shaping the experimental sound associated with SM Entertainment’s global expansion strategy. The upcoming album features the hip-hop title track WYLD alongside B-side recordings such as the alternative R&B song Mermaid. It also includes 404 Euphoria, a track that continues an ongoing musical concept series that first began with 404 File Not Found in 2023. This song drew significant interest from fans after it was previewed via a video segment during a recent concert tour. Ahead of the launch, a commemorative exhibition for the album will be held from May 16 to 18 at the Hyundai Card Music Library in the Yongsan District of Seoul. Listening sessions are also scheduled to take place at the Hyundai Card Understage on May 16 and 17. 2026-05-11 14:22:37

Shift in Japan's Stock Market Leadership: Semiconductors and Banks Rise Japan's stock market is witnessing a shift in leadership. Once dominated by automotive and telecommunications companies, the market is now being led by semiconductors, banks benefiting from rising interest rates, and general trading companies with resource interests, all of which are capitalizing on the growing demand for artificial intelligence (AI). On May 11, the Nikkei 225 index closed down 226.81 points (0.36%) at 62,486.84. The index opened at 63,203.44 and briefly rose to 63,385.04 during the day, but profit-taking led to a decline to 62,437.20, erasing earlier gains. This followed a record high closing on May 7, which contributed to the pressure at these elevated levels. According to the Nihon Keizai Shimbun (Nikkei), the number of companies with market capitalizations exceeding 10 trillion yen (approximately $93.9 billion) rose to 27 as of May 8, an increase of four from the end of last year. At one point in mid-April, this number reached 30. As the base of Japan's large-cap stocks broadens, the focus has shifted from automobiles to semiconductors, banks, and trading companies. The most notable change is in the semiconductor sector. Kioxia Holdings' market capitalization reached 24.2 trillion yen as of May 8, soaring more than 30 times from its initial public offering price of 784.3 billion yen in December 2024. Its ranking in market cap jumped from 43rd at the end of last year to 5th, surpassing major manufacturers like Hitachi and Keyence. The surge in NAND flash prices driven by AI demand has led to sharply revised profit forecasts for the fiscal year 2026 (April 2026 to March 2027). Companies related to AI and semiconductors, such as SoftBank Group, which invested in OpenAI, and semiconductor equipment firms like Tokyo Electron and Advantest, now occupy four of the top ten spots. The revival of bank stocks is also noteworthy. The three major megabanks, including Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, have all surpassed a market cap of 10 trillion yen for the first time in nearly 20 years. Rising interest rates, which were once a burden during deflationary periods, are now seen as a catalyst for improved profitability, changing market perceptions. General trading companies like Mitsubishi Corporation are also gaining prominence amid inflation and fluctuating resource prices, boosting their market cap rankings. From Deflation to Inflation The Nikkei highlights that rising prices are a key factor behind these changes. Tetsuro Ii, president of Commons Asset Management, stated, "The shift in Japan's economic trend from deflation to inflation is significant." As the long-standing deflationary period ends, companies find it easier to pass on rising costs and increased demand to prices, which in turn boosts expectations for revenue and profit growth, driving up stock prices. The semiconductor sector, with its soaring sales prices and rapidly expanding earnings due to strong AI investment, exemplifies this inflationary trend. In contrast, the automotive sector, once a cornerstone of the Japanese stock market, is losing its prominence. Toyota Motor Corporation retains its top position with a market cap of 46 trillion yen, but the gap with second-place companies like SoftBank and Mitsubishi UFJ is narrowing. Following Toyota's forecast of a third consecutive year of declining net income for the fiscal year 2026, the market reacted with disappointment, pushing its stock price to a year-to-date low on May 8. All three major Japanese automakers—Toyota, Honda, and Nissan—now have price-to-book ratios (PBR) below 1. The automotive sector's share of the Tokyo Stock Exchange's TOPIX index has also fallen to 5.3%, a decline of 2 percentage points over the past year, marking its lowest level since 2000. However, the Nikkei cautions that this shift in market capitalization does not necessarily indicate a restoration of Japan's stock market status. Over the past year, the growth rate of market capitalization in dollar terms has been 30.9% in the U.S. and 30.8% globally, compared to just 26.0% in Japan. Only three Japanese companies—Toyota, SoftBank Group, and Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group—are included in the global top 100 by market cap, down from four a decade ago. As of the end of April, Japan's share of the MSCI All Country World Index (ACWI) stood at 5%, down from 7.7% ten years ago. 2026-05-11 14:18:57

2PM to return with full-group concert in Korea coming August SEOUL, May 11 (AJP) - K-pop group 2PM will return to the South Korean stage as a full six-member act this August for its first domestic solo concert in three years, management agency JYP Entertainment said Monday. The group will hold the 2026 2PM Concert THE RETURN in INCHEON on August 8 and 9 at the Inspire Arena in Incheon. The performances will mark the first solo show in South Korea featuring all six members since September 2023, when the group held a concert to commemorate its 15th anniversary. Debuting in 2008, 2PM became one of the most recognizable male groups in the region with its athletic choreography and signature beast idol image. The group built a large fanbase across Asia through hits such as Heartbeat, Hands Up, and My House. The Incheon concerts were announced during the group's performances in Japan last weekend. The Tokyo Dome shows marked the first time the group had returned to the venue in 10 years following a hiatus for mandatory military service. During the Japanese performances, 2PM played a selection of South Korean and Japanese songs released throughout its career. The event also served to celebrate the 15th anniversary of the group's Japanese debut. The group ended the show with the song I'll Be Back, echoing a promise made during its previous Tokyo Dome concert that it would return to the venue. Further details regarding ticket sales for the Incheon concerts will be released later through the group's official social media channels. 2026-05-11 14:18:07

Woori Bank Issues 300 Billion Won Green Bonds, Leading the Banking Sector Woori Bank has become the first commercial bank this year to issue Korean-style green bonds, accelerating its efforts in ESG finance. The bank raised a record 300 billion won, reinforcing its position as a leader in the green finance market. On May 11, Woori Bank announced that it issued a total of 300 billion won in Korean-style green bonds through the "Korean-style Green Bond Issuance Interest Support Program" organized by the Ministry of Climate, Energy, and Environment and the Korea Environmental Industry and Technology Institute. The issuance consists of 150 billion won with a three-year maturity and 150 billion won with a one-year maturity. This marks the first instance among commercial banks this year and is the largest single issuance to date. Following the issuance of 150 billion won in Korean-style green bonds in both 2024 and 2025, this latest 300 billion won issuance brings the bank's total to 600 billion won. This amount positions Woori Bank as the leader in cumulative issuance of Korean-style green bonds among banks since 2022. The funds raised will be fully allocated to support eco-friendly projects, including solar and wind energy production and waste-to-energy recovery projects. Woori Bank plans to solidify its leading position in the green finance market and accelerate its expansion in ESG finance. Kang Han-na, head of Woori Bank's funding department, stated, "This issuance of Korean-style green bonds is an opportunity to reaffirm Woori Bank's commitment to ESG management in the market. As the role of finance in the transition to eco-friendliness becomes increasingly important, we will continue our responsible ESG initiatives."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-11 14:16:16

IBK Industrial Bank Receives Presidential Award for Family Policy Contributions IBK Industrial Bank announced on May 11 that it received a Presidential Award for Family Policy Contributions at the '2026 Family Month Commemoration Ceremony' hosted by the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family.This award recognizes the bank's ongoing social contribution efforts benefiting 2.87 million marginalized individuals, including small business workers and vulnerable youth.The award cited the bank's diverse social contribution activities, ranging from basic living support to childcare and caregiving. Notable initiatives include the 'IBK Scholarship and Medical Expense Support' to alleviate educational and medical costs for small business workers and their families, the 'IBK Hope Narae' program assisting independent and socially withdrawn youth, and the 'IBK Everyone Concert' aimed at enhancing cultural accessibility for multicultural families and foreign workers.The 'IBK Hope Narae' program has notably led to successful outcomes, including admissions to dental and law graduate schools and employment in the financial sector.An IBK official stated, "This award is particularly meaningful as it recognizes our sincere efforts to support marginalized neighbors. We will continue to serve as a robust safety net in our society and strive to assist those in need of social consideration." 2026-05-11 14:14:46

Seoul stays cautious on blaming Iran over HMM Hormuz attack SEOUL, May 11 (AJP) - South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun maintained a cautious stance Monday, stopping short of directly blaming Iran for the attack on a Korean-operated cargo ship near the Strait of Hormuz despite the government’s initial conclusion that the vessel had come under an external strike. “There are still things that need to be studied before making a judgment,” Cho told reporters, signaling Seoul’s reluctance to escalate tensions before the investigation is fully completed. His remarks came a day after the foreign ministry disclosed that two “unidentified airborne objects” struck the stern of the Panama-flagged cargo ship HMM Namu last week, triggering an explosion and fire aboard the vessel. The ship, operated by HMM, was carrying 24 crew members, including six South Koreans. No casualties were reported. Additional analysis is underway on engine fragments recovered from debris found at the scene. Seoul’s calibrated response reflects the delicate diplomatic balancing act facing South Korea as tensions surrounding the Strait of Hormuz intensify. South Korea remains heavily dependent on Middle Eastern crude imports and has sought to avoid being drawn directly into confrontation between Washington and Tehran despite its alliance with the United States. The foreign ministry summoned Iranian Ambassador to South Korea Saeed Koozechi on Sunday to explain the findings, Cho said, adding that the investigation results had also been shared with Washington. Koozechi did not speak publicly upon arriving at the ministry. According to Seoul officials, First Vice Foreign Minister Park Yoon-joo briefed the Iranian envoy on the preliminary investigation outcome. U.S. President Donald Trump earlier claimed that Iran had “taken some shots” at the HMM vessel and other targets in the region. The Iranian Embassy in Seoul strongly denied any involvement, saying Tehran “firmly and categorically” rejects allegations linking its military to the incident. The attack came just hours after Washington launched — and later suspended — “Project Freedom,” a U.S.-led operation aimed at assisting commercial ships stranded around the strategic waterway. Tehran condemned the operation as a violation of the ceasefire framework that has nominally remained in place since early April. The incident is expected to surface during talks between South Korean Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back and U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth in Washington on Monday local time. The trip marks Ahn’s first visit to the United States since taking office. 2026-05-11 14:14:09